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The NBA is offering up a seven-game slate on Friday. The DraftKings slate starts at 8:00 p.m. ET, so let’s break down some of the top studs and values at each position to help you build your DraftKings lineups.
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $450K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
Point Guard
Stud
Russell Westbrook, Washington Wizards vs. Philadelphia 76ers ($10,200) – Westbrook is coming off a subpar game in his last outing, but he’s still played some of his best basketball of the year recently. He’s increased his production to 1.53 DKFP per minute over the past month, which is the top mark among today’s point guards. He’s ultimately finished with at least 50.25 DKFP in nine of his past 11 games.
The 76ers aren’t a great matchup – they rank second in defensive efficiency – but they will be without Ben Simmons for another game. That makes them a bit more vulnerable than usual.
Other Options – John Wall ($8,100), Dejounte Murray ($7,500)
Value
Derrick White, San Antonio Spurs vs. Orlando Magic ($4,900) – LaMarcus Aldridge is not going to be a part of the Spurs’ rotation moving forward, which is a decision that should benefit both parties. Aldridge will get a chance to negotiate a trade or buy-out to play for a contender, while the Spurs can funnel some additional offensive responsibilities to their younger players.
White figures to be one of the primary beneficiaries. He’s still not carrying a full workload after missing most of the early season with an injury, but he played 27.1 minutes in his last outing. That should be more than enough playing time for him to return value vs. the Magic given his average of 0.94 DKFP per minute.
Other Options – Patty Mills ($4,500), Chasson Randle ($3,100)
Shooting Guard
Stud
Collin Sexton, Cleveland Cavaliers @ New Orleans Pelicans ($8,100) – Sexton is coming off back-to-back games with at least 57.0 DKFP, and he gets arguably the best matchup in fantasy on Friday. The Pelicans have been an absolute disaster defensively of late, allowing a ridiculous 125.4 points per 100 possessions over their past 14 games. They allowed 135 points last night to the Timberwolves, who rank just 27th in offensive efficiency this season. Sexton should be able to carve these guys up.
Other Options – Bradley Beal ($9,700), Donovan Mitchell ($8,800)
Value
Kevin Porter Jr., Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz ($3,200) – Porter Jr. had a disastrous exit from Cleveland, but he has a chance to revive his career in Houston. His Rockets tenure got off to a phenomenal start yesterday, with Porter Jr. racking up 42.25 DKFP over 29.4 minutes.
He should carry another large workload for the Rockets Friday vs. the Jazz. Victor Oladipo is expected to rest on the second leg of a back-to-back, while John Wall is listed as questionable after sitting out yesterday. Eric Gordon has also already been ruled out, while Danuel House and Christian Wood are expected to remain out of the lineup. That doesn’t leave a ton of available bodies in Houston.
Other Options – Dwayne Bacon ($4,200), Ben McLemore ($3,500)
Small Forward
Stud
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls ($9,200) – Butler has done absolutely everything for the Heat recently. He’s scored at least 51.25 DKFP in each of his past four games, and he’s coming off a 62.5 DKFP-performance yesterday vs. the Magic. He finished just two rebounds shy of a triple-double, and his ability to contribute in every category across the board has resulted in an average of 1.50 DKFP per minute over the past month.
He’s in a great spot tonight vs. the Bulls. They’ve played at the fifth-fastest pace this season, and they’re also below-average in terms of defensive efficiency.
Other Options – LeBron James ($10,400), Brandon Ingram ($8,300)
Value
Matisse Thybulle, Philadelphia 76ers @ Washington Wizards ($3,100) – Thybulle hasn’t gotten a ton of run for the 76ers this season, but he has a chance to play a bit more with Simmons out of the lineup. He took advantage of his extra playing time in his last game, finishing with 30.5 DKFP over 28.5 minutes vs. the Bulls. He likely won’t shoot 100% from the field again – he was 5-5 from the field and 3-3 from 3-point range yesterday – but he’s capable of racking up fantasy points on the defensive end.
Other Options – Dillon Brooks ($5,200), Keldon Johnson ($4,800)
Power Forward
Stud
Zion Williamson, New Orleans Pelicans vs. Cleveland Cavaliers ($9,100) – Zion is coming off a disappointing performance yesterday, but his game log is still overwhelmingly positive. He’s scored at least 46.5 DKFP in eight of his past 10 games, and he’s averaged 1.39 DKFP per minute over the past month.
He’s in an elite bounce-back spot tonight vs. the Cavaliers. They’ve struggled on the defensive end this season, ranking just 22nd in defensive efficiency, and they rank 20th in terms of points per game allowed in the paint. The Pelicans are currently implied for 117.75 points, which is the third-highest mark on the slate.
Other Options – Domantas Sabonis ($9,900), Tobias Harris ($8,300)
Value
KJ Martin Jr., Houston Rockets @ Utah Jazz ($3,000) – There are tons of excellent value options on today’s slate, but Martin might be the best of the bunch. He’s priced at the absolute minimum, and the Rockets have no choice but to lean on him heavily vs. the Jazz. P.J. Tucker is no longer with the team, and Martin played 32.3 minutes for the Rockets in their last game. He’s averaged 0.92 DKFP per minute over the past month, so he can do some serious damage with that much playing time.
Other Options – Markieff Morris ($4,300), Chuma Okeke ($3,200)
Center
Stud
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers @ Washington Wizards ($10,700) – We’re going to need some studs to balance out all these value options, and Embiid stands out as the top stud on the slate. He’s in a potential smash spot vs. the Wizards, who have been a fantasy gold mine for opposing big men this season. They rank first in pace, 27th in defensive efficiency, and 24th in team rebound rate, and they have no one who can match Embiid’s combination of size and athleticism. He finished with 66.5 DKFP in his last matchup vs. the Wizards, and he has the upside for a similar performance tonight.
Other Options – Nikola Jokic ($10,900), Nikola Vucevic ($10,300)
Value
Kelly Olynyk, Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls ($5,700) – Olynyk is going to be a viable fantasy option for as long as Bam Adebayo is out of the lineup. He’s averaged 0.91 DKFP per minute this season, and he’s played at least 34.7 minutes in back-to-back games. He’s ultimately finished with at least 38.75 DKFP in both of those contests, so he’s very reasonably priced Friday vs. the Bulls.
Other Options – Jakob Poeltl ($6,100), Khem Birch ($3,000)
Set your DraftKings fantasy basketball lineups here: NBA $450K Shootaround [$100K to 1st]
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